Guidelines And Selection Criteria - New Projects

COMMERCIAL RADIO BLACKSPOTS PROGRAM
GUIDELINES AND SELECTION CRITERIA - NEW PROJECTS

The Commercial Radio Blackspots Program (the Program) aims to enhance access to commercial radio services in regional and remote Australia. The Government has approved funding of $5 million over three financial years - 2002-03 through to 2004-05 - this includes funding to cover the costs of planning, administration and technical assessment.

Guidelines have been developed to assist in assessing the eligibility of potential blackspots for funding under the Program.

Eligibility

• Proposals for funding will be subject to confirmation by the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) that a suitable frequency is available for the proposed service and that the proposal is consistent with current licence area planning requirements. Proposals for 'out of area services' will not be considered.
• Where the broadcaster has proposed more than one service for a community, funding will only be provided for one of those projects in the first instance.
• There should be local community support for the service.
• Details of arrangements for meeting the ongoing costs of a service will be required.

Selection of projects

Eligible projects will be ranked taking into account the following criteria:

• Whether the project is for a community in a licence area not represented previously under the Program.
• The size of the community ie potential number of listener beneficiaries.
• The cost of projects.
• The nature of the service proposed i.e. should be of broad appeal.
• The presence and level of existing services i.e. whether there is:
• 1. no radio service at all;
  2. no commercial service;
  3. poor reception of existing service, with spectrum already available;
  4. poor reception of existing service, and spectrum needing allocation; and
  5. good reception of an existing service(s) and the proposal is for an additional commercial service.

Project proponent/recipient

• The relevant commercial broadcaster will be the designated project proponent and funds recipient.
• - Formal applications are not required. Submissions nominating the project and brief details about the proposed service, whether AM or FM, the retransmission power, type and nature of service, number of potential listener beneficiaries and the likely cost of the establishing the service are sought initially. A questionnaire will be sent to broadcasters for completion for those projects which are preliminarily assessed as meeting the eligibility criteria. Final project approval will remain subject to ABA planning approval and the allocation of a suitable frequency.

Funding/acquittal of funds

• The Program will provide one-off assistance for the capital costs of equipment and site establishment for eligible projects.
   
• - The broadcaster will be required to commit to meeting ongoing costs for the service (i.e. operation and maintenance) or provide a formal undertaking from a body representing a local community (e.g. local Council) that it is prepared to accept responsibility for these costs.
   
• Funding for individual projects will be capped.
• Funding for individual projects will be provided by way of two stage grants - 50 per cent on project approval and the balance once the service commences.
   
• - For acquittal purposes the final payment will not be made until documentary evidence is provided to support the costs incurred, and that the service is operational.
   
• Funding will be made available on the basis that the Australian Government reserves the right to allow reasonable access to site facilities by others where appropriate and where this would not interfere with, or disrupt, the broadcasting service.

June 2003